Nova Scotia Dental Association

Tag: Nova Scotia Smiles

  • Nova Scotia Smiles: Getting to know Dr. Paula MacPherson of Halifax!

    By Samantha Ashenhurst
    NSDA Communications Manager

    Nova Scotia Dentist recently chatted with Dr. Paula MacPherson! A 2008 graduate of the Dalhousie Dental School, Dr. MacPherson opened Southgate Dentistry in Bedford South as a start-up in 2012. In August 2022, she expanded the practice, adding her cousin, Dr. Jacquelyn Scott, to the team. Dr. MacPherson lives in Halifax with her husband, Daryl, and their four kids, Aaron, Eddie, Sam, and Louisa.

    1. Why did you pursue dentistry?

    My grandfather (Dr. Dinny Morrison) was a dentist and my father (Dr. Archie Morrison) is an oral surgeon, so dentistry was always sort of ‘around.’ Even though I was very aware of it as a career option, it wasn’t something that was discussed much at home.

    As I neared the end of my BSc at StFX, I started thinking about my next steps. I knew I wanted to work in healthcare and help people. I loved the idea of dentistry being so hands-on and that it would allow me to work with people to get them out of pain and help ease their fears. I’m entrepreneurial, so the idea of owning a business was very appealing to me, too.

    2. What is a skill you’ve always wanted to learn?

    I would LOVE to learn how to golf. I’ve been saying this for years and have taken a few lessons. Learning golf requires a lot of time and patience (two things I am lacking!). My husband and kids are golf-lovers so I hope I can join them in the near future!

    3. What’s your top destination in Nova Scotia?

    If I had to pick a dream spot, it would be in the middle of Grand Lake on a boat. My parents have a cottage on Grand Lake and it’s a great spot to get away in the summer. On a sunny day, sitting on a boat in the large open lake is one of the only ways I truly ever feel relaxed. 

    4. Who was your favourite or most inspiring teacher at dental school?

    This is a tough one! I had a lot of fantastic teachers in dental school. Merv Creighton and John Cox are two that stick out. I also had the opportunity to be taught by my father, which was pretty memorable. My favourite teacher overall was Rick Raftus. I remember Rick teaching us in prosth lab and also in clinic. He was down to earth, kind, and clearly loved helping us learn.

    5. What is one piece of advice that’s stuck with you over time?

    The best piece of advice I ever received came from outside of the dental world, but it applies to everyone. A good friend of mine from StFX is from Boston and her father built a successful business from the ground up. When visiting their family home, I asked him about how he grew the business. He said, “I worked my ass off and treated everyone well along the way.” It’s a lesson I always keep in mind and frequently tell my kids.

  • Nova Scotia Smiles: Getting to know Dr. Paul McLaughlin of Yarmouth!

    By Samantha Ashenhurst
    NSDA Communications Manager

    1. Why did you pursue dentistry?

    Originally, I was on my way to being a chemistry teacher — I love teaching people new things, and chemistry would let me do it with a bang! I was a dentophobic kid and hated lying down in the chair until I saw a Dr. MacLeod in Corner Brook, who was the first to talk and teach my way through a filling. I thought, “maybe I could make a difference with scared patients like me….” I shifted into dental school pre-requisites that fall semester.

    2. What is a skill you’ve always wanted to learn?

    I’ve always wanted to speak Spanish. It’s on my list of things to do when life gives me some spare time.

    3. What’s your top destination in Nova Scotia?

    Glenora Inn and Distillery in Cape Breton — amazing food, beautiful scenery, and, of course, great whisky. Plus, it’s just a few minutes away from Cabot Links Golf.

    4. Who was your favourite or most inspiring teacher at dental school?

    I’ve had a few great teachers at dental school. Dr. Doug Chaytor challenged me weekly on prosth and computers, while Dr. Frank Lovely was, to wit, lovely to everyone around him and a treat to watch perform oral surgery. But I’d have to say that Dr. Bill MacInnis made one of the biggest impacts on me. I wasn’t always this self-assured, and a combination of anxiety and lack of self-esteem would wreak havoc when I was younger. Bill never let me get away with anything easy, or let me avoid situations that would challenge both my skills and my character. It truly made a difference in the way I approached a patient and delivered treatment.

    5. What is one piece of advice that’s stuck with you over time?

    When I removed an upper premolar on a young patient in fourth year, I was concerned because she left crying. Her assurances that I didn’t hurt her didn’t register with me until one of the assistants said, “She’s not crying because it hurt; she’s crying because she’s a young woman and she’s lost her tooth.”

    That hit me hard. We can get so focused on the treatment, the codes, and the costs that we can lose focus on the patient as a human being. In my years of mentoring and job shadowing, I’ve stressed to my audience that the dentistry is important, but don’t forget about the person who’s attached to the teeth.